Abstract

Background

Dietary fat exerts numerous complex effects on proinflammatory and immunologic pathways.
Several epidemiological studies have examined the relationships between intake of
fatty acids and/or foods high in fat and allergic rhinitis, but have provided conflicting
findings. The current cross-sectional study investigated such relationships in Japan.

Methods

Study subjects were 1745 pregnant women. The definition of rhinoconjunctivitis was
based on criteria from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.
Information on dietary factors was collected using a validated self-administered diet
history questionnaire. Adjustment was made for age; gestation; region of residence;
number of older siblings; number of children; smoking; secondhand smoke exposure at
home and at work; family history of asthma, atopic eczema, and allergic rhinitis;
household income; education; and body mass index.